This species has been considered a synonym of Abudefduf declivifrons, but a recent molecular study by Lessios et al. (1995) confirmed that it is a separate species. It is closely related to A. declivifrons and is easily confused in the field during visual surveys. The distributions of the two species overlap between El Salvador and Costa Rica, and a combination of morphological and genetic comparisons throughout the ranges of both species are needed to establish the full range of each.

Justification:
This species is widespread in the Eastern Pacific, and is common in many parts of its range. There are no major threats for this species, and no current indication of population decline. It is listed as Least Concern.

This species is locally common insuitable habitat throughout its range. At Gulf Dulce, Costa Rica, a density of 0.005±0.009 ind./ m2 and a relative abundance of 0.126% were recorded for this species (Figueroa, 2001)

This species is associated with shallow reef habitat to depths of 5m. It primarily iinhabits rocky inshore reefs exposed to wave action (Schneider and Krupp, 1995), and is common in intertidal and shallow subtidal rocky bottom habitats in the Galapagos, Gorgona, and elsewhere along the continental coast.

Gill, T.N. 1862. Catalogue of the fishes of Lower California, in the Smithsonian Institution, collected by Mr. J. Xantus. Part 2. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 14: 242-246.